Traveling sprinkler



' April 9, 1968 c MATTSON ET AL 3,377,027

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet l 17 In fen i0 r5 CHARLES A. MA TTJON GEORGE 14 Jcgmazczlae April 9, 1968 c MATTSON ET Al. 3,377,027

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet :4

April 9, 1968 C. A. M ATTSON ET AL TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet J N a Z w M a. A w L M 7 6602651711. 6Cl/LEZCHER 91 ave @M A ril 9, 1968 c. A. MATTSON ET AL 3,377,027

TRAVELING SPRINKLER Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet :2

[fit tors 6564121365 A MA TTSON GEORGE W JCHLEJGHEE 107 i United States Patent Of 3,377,92 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 ice 3,377,027 TRAVELING SPRINKLER Charles A. Mattson, Oak Park, and George W. Schleicher, Niles, Ill., assignors to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 5, 1%6, Ser. No. 562,876 21 Claims. (Cl. 239-489) The present invention relates to sprinklers and more particularly to improvements in a traveling sprinkler of the type wherein the sprinkler may be selectively selfpropelled or stationary. This invention is an improvement over Jepson Patents 2,722,454, 2,788,241 and 2,788,242

which are assigned to the same assignee application.

Traveling or self-propellable sprinklers have become popular due to their great flexibility. This type of sprinkler may be used to travel along a prescribed path or may be used selectively as a stationary sprinkler. The traveling sprinkler of the type driven by a reaction type rotary head has the advantage that substantially the same amount of water is dispersed over a given area regardless of water pressure variation. Thus, if the water pressure should vary during the time that the sprinkler is propelling itself over the lawn, a predetermined amount of water will still be sprayed on the ground. The main reason for this result is that if the water pressure decreases, the speed at which the spray head rotates also decreases. Since the rotation of the head is used to provide power for the propelling mechanism, the sprinkler moves more slowly across the lawn under conditions of low water pressure.

While the traveling sprinkler disclosed in Jepson Patent No. 2,722,454 has many operating features and was manufactured for many years, it was expensive to make. In part, this was due to an expensive internal clutching mechanism and intricately manufactured parts. Therefore, there is a need for a traveling sprinkler having operating features similar to those disclosed in the above mentioned patents but also which is inexpensively manufactured and may be easily serviced.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved self-propellable lawn sprinkler.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-propellable lawn sprinkler which is easily manufactured and low in cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a self-propellable sprinkler which may be easily serviced by providing ready access to the internal mechanisms.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved traveling sprinkler having a simple external clutch which is low in cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a traveling sprinkler having an improved wheel mounting means which increases the rigidity of the sprinkler housmg.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-propellable sprinkler having a reel containing fiexible tape wherein the tape may be assembled inexpensively to the reel.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traveling sprinkler embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sprinkler housing illustrated in FIG. 1 with the control valve in the closed position;

as the present FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but with the control valve in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the reel similar to FIG. 6 but with the latching member removed;

FIG. 9 is a view of the reel assembly taken substantially along line 99 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 1010 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along line 1111 of FIG. 5.

Briefly, the present invention relates to a self-propellable sprinkler having an upper housing with an integral upright post upon which a reaction type spray head is rotatably mounted. The upper housing defines an integral passageway from a water inlet to the'spray head. Disposed within the passageway is a control valve having a valve stem with one end in driving connection with the spray head and the other end in driving engagement with a speed reduction gearing means. The upper housing defines a gear chamber for receiving the speed reduction gearing means and this chamber is closed by a lower housing. The speed reduction gearing means has an output shaft which projects downwardly out of the gear chamber. A reel containing flexible tape is mounted to the lower housing, and'the output shaft projects through and beyond the reel. A member is slidably secured to the reel and is positioned to engage selectively with the output shaft in driving engagement whereby the rotation of the spray head may selectively rotate the reel.

The upper housing defines a front section having an opening through which the flexible tape is extendable. Disposed on each side of the front section is a wheel which is rotatably mounted on a horizontally disposed axle. The axles which are rigidly secured to the upper housing by clip means increase therigidity of the front portion of the sprinkler housing. The rear portion of the upper housing defines skid portions which assist in the free movement of the housing over the ground.

The reel is formed with an annular recess defined by flanges for receiving the flexible tape. A transversely disposed mounting post is formed within the recess for securing the looped inner end of the flexible tape to the reel. One reel flange has an opening juxtapositioned to the post for permitting the looped end of the tape to be placed over the mounting post.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a traveling or self-p-ropellable sprinkler generally designated by reference numeral 11 which includes an upper housing 12 preferably molded from a suitable plastic, such as an acetal resin. Integrally molded with housing 12 is a hollow upright post 13 upon which spray head 14 is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. While the details of the spray head 14 do not form a part of the present invention, the head 14 is preferably the same as disclosed in Mattson et al. Patent No. 3,219,277 which is assigned to the same assignee as in the present appli cation. It should be appreciated, however, that the spray head 14 is of the reaction rotary type having two oppositely aligned spray arms 15 with the arms extending at a downwardly angle. Each arm has a plurality of spray orifices 16 which are disposed to cause the head 14 to rotate when water under pressure is forced into the head. The angular relationship of orifices 16 is manually controlled by knob 17. Thus, the user may orient the discharge orifices 16 to control the width of sprinkling.

For the purpose of supplying water to the spray head 14, the housing 12 is provided with a water inlet 20 which receives a coupling 21 for attaching a standard garden hose to the sprinkler. The coupling 21 includes a plastic stud 22 which is threadedly received in the housing inlet 20 and which rotatably supports a plastic nut 23. To prevent the entrance of foreign solid particles into the sprinkler, a combination washer and filter screen 24 is positioned within nut 23 adjacent to stud 22. The plastic housing 12 defines a passageway 26 from the Water inlet 20 through the post 13 to the spray head 14. The spray head 14 is secured to the post 13 by means of a locking nut 28 which is threadedly received by the post. Extending downwardly from the head 14 is a hollow shaft 30 having an annular shoulder 31 and a slotted portion 32 at the lower end thereof. The shaft 30 is rotatably received in a bushing bearing 29 which is secured to locking nut 28. A resilient washer 34 is carried by shaft 30 immediately above shoulder 31 in order to provide a liquid seal between the head 14 and the bushing 29.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a control valve 36 positioned in the passageway 26 between the water inlet 20 and the head 14; the valve 36 is in vertical alignment with spray head shaft 30. The upright post 13 defines an internal shoulder 37 which is adapted to receive a valve seat 38 preferably fabricated from a suitable rubber material. Valve seat 38 has a lower chamfer 39, an intermediate cylindrical section 40 and upper tapered portion 41. It should be appreciated that the internal shoulder 37 prevents the upwardly movement of the valve seat 38 within the post 13. A donut-shaped plastic nut 43 is threadedly received at the bottom of post 13 in order to prevent the downwardly flow of water. The nut 43 has a central opening 44 which lies along the same axis as the spray head 14. Immediately below and in alignment with head shaft 30 is a valve stem 46 having an enlarged head 47 at its upper end and a longitudinally extending bore 48. The stem 46 has a cylindrical portion 49 which is received in the nut opening 44 to permit vertical sliding engagement therebetween. An annular recess 50 is positioned on the cylindrical portion 49 for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed. The enlarged stem head 47 is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat chamfer 39 to regulate the flow of water through the valve seat 38 to head 14. A coil spring 52 is positioned around the valve stem cylindrical portion 49 and biases the enlarged stem head 47 upwardly. The bottom of the spring 52 rests on a metal washer 53 which is forced against nut 43. In order to preventwater seepage from the passageway 26 between the cylindrical portion 49 and the nut openings 44, there is provided an annular recess 55 in nut 43 and an O-ring 56 is disposed therein to establish a watertight seal.

So that power may be transmitted from the rotary head shaft 30, there is provided a plastic drive shaft 58 which extends through the valve stem bore '48. The drive shaft 58 is provided with a tongue 59 at its upper end which is adapted to engage in the slotted portion 32 of the head shaft 30 in a power transmitted relationship. Integral with the drive shaft 58 is a shoulder portion 60 located immediately below tongue 59. Small thrust washers 62 are provided on shaft 58 between the shoulder 60 and valve stem 46. A pinion 64 is threadedly received on the bottom end of drive shaft 58 and cooperates with the shoulder 60 to locate properly the shaft with respect to the valve stem so that shaft 58 may rotate with respect to stem 46 and will move vertically therewith. It should be apparent that the valve stem 46 is free to slide in the vertical direction and is biased upwardly against the valve seat 38 whereby the valve is normally closed. Moreover, the connection of the valve stem tongue 59 engaging in the slotted portion 32 of the head shaft 30 provides a construction wherein the head 14 is always in driving engagement with the pinion 64.

The housing 12 is molded to include a chamber 66 on its underside defined by wall 67 as may be easily seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The chamber 66 has an open bottom and is shaped somewhat like a keyhole. Closing the chamber 66 is a lower housing 70 which is preferably cast from an aluminum material. Securely locking the lower housing 70 to the upper housing 12 is a plurality of fasteners 69 which threadedly engage with a plurality of bosses 71 which are integrally formed with housing 12 inside chamber 66. In addition, integrally molded with housing 12 are bosses 72 and 73 located inside chamber 66. Stationary shafts 74 and 75 are rigidly secured to bosses 72 and 73, respectively. Received on shaft 74 is a gear 76 having a double set of teeth 77 and 78. The gear teeth 77 are in power transmission engagement with the pinion 64. Thus, when pinion 64 is rotated, it will rotate gear 76 at a much slower speed since the pinion 64 has many fewer teeth than gear teeth 77. Gear 80 is rotatably supported on stationary shaft 75 and is in engagement with gear 76. Both gears 76 and 80 are molded from plastic material. Gear 80 is designed to rotate at a much slower speed than gear 76. Gear 82 is rotatably received on shaft 74 and is in engagement with gear 80 while gear 84 is supported on shaft 75 and is in engagement with gear 82. An output shaft 85 has a gear portion 86 which is in driving engagement with gear 84. The upper face of gear 86 has a central opening 87 for receiving and supporting shaft 74. The lower housing 70 is cast with a downwardly extending sleeve portion 88 which receives and supports output shaft 85. In addition, the lower housing 70 has an opening 89 which receives and supports the lower end of stationary shaft 75. Therefore, the rotation of the reaction type spray head 14 rotates pinion 64 which, in turn, rotates the gear set including gears 76, 80, 82, 84 and 86. Due to the selection of the gears, there is a reduction of speed from the pinion 64 to the output shaft 85 of approximately 1431:1. With this construction, there is very little stress placed on the rapidly rotating plastic gears 76 and 80 while there is considerably more force imposed upon the output shaft 85 which is preferably fabricated from steel. The output shaft extends below sleeve 88 and has an annular groove 91 positioned immediately below the lower edge of sleeve 88. The lower end of output shaft 85 has a pair of flattened locking surfaces 92. Between gear 80 and boss 73, there is provided a spring washer 93 for biasing gears 80 and 84 downwardly to insure that the gears on shaft 75 are properly aligned with the gears on shaft 74.

In order to prevent the downward movement of head 14 from forcing the pinion 64 to engage with gear 82 and damage it thereby, the lower housing 70 is provided with an upwardly extending projection 94 which is in vertical alignment with pinion 64. Thus, when the sprinkler head 14 is depressed, its downward travel is limited by pinion 64 engaging with projection 94. The lower housing 70 has a downwardly extending wall 96 having the same approximate outline as housing wall 67 whereby the wall 96 appears to be an extension of the wall 67. A plastic reel 98 is partially received within lower housing wall 96. The reel 98 has a central hub 99 which fits over lower housing sleeve 88 so that the reel is rotatably secured to the lower housing 70. The reel 98 includes an annular recess 100 which is defined by reel flanges 101 and 102. With the reel 98 mounted to the lower housing 70, the flange 102 becomes the lower and exterior surface of the reel. For the purpose of holding the reel hub 99 to the lower housing sleeve 88, a spring fastener 104 is received in output shaft groove 91. A washer 105 is positioned between the spring fastener 104 and the reel hub 99. Projecting downwardly from the reel 98 are integral projections 107 and 108. Each projection has integrally formed therewith ears 109 which are adapted to receive a member 110 in sliding engagement with the reel 98. Reel projection 108 is formed with an elongated arm 112 having an enlargement or detent 113 at the free end thereof. Enlargement 113 is pointed and extends downwardly toward member 110. Due to the cantilever construction of arm 112, the enlargement 113 is resiliently supported.

Member 110 has downturned ends 115 and 116 with a relatively flat center portion 117 which is slidably re ceived in ears 109. In the center portion 117, there is defined a keyhole opening 118 having a circular section 119 and a slot section 120. The circular section 119 of member 110 is sufliciently large to permit drive shaft 85 to freely rotate therein without a driving engagement being made. However, member slot section 120 is adapted to make 'a driving connection with the flattened surfaces 92 of the output shaft 85. The do'wnturned ends 115 and 116 provide handles for the user to readily slide member 110 so that slot section 120 may be selectively engaged with driving shaft flattened surfaces 92. In order that the member 110 will remain in the selected position, the member is formed with spaced depressions 122 and 123 adapted to engage the enlargement 113 on arm 112. Therefore, when the member 110 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 6, the enlargement 113 engages with depression 122 to hold the member 110 in driving engagement with output shaft 85. Thus, it may readily be seen that the slide member 110 may be used as an external clutch to drivingly engage reel 98 with the output shaft 85. Moreover, it should be appreciated that output shaft 85 will continue to rotate as long as spray head 14 rotates.

To cause the traveling sprinkler to move over the ground, it is necessary that a flexible tape 125 be wound Within the reel recess 100 and attached to the reel 98. Preferably, the tape 125 is fabricated from stainless steel ribbon. The inner end of flexible tape 125 is formed with a closed loop 126. The reel 98 has an integral post 127 Which is disposed in recess 100 and extends transversely thereacross. One end of the post 127 is secured to flange 102 and the free end of the post is adjacent to an opening 128 formed in flange wall 101. With this construction, the looped end 126 may be easily attached to the mounting post 127 by inserting the end into recess 100, through opening 128 in flange 161 and then sliding the looping end back over post 127. Once the looped end 126 has been placed over post 127, the tape may be tightly coiled in the recess 100. Thus, the plastic reel 98 does not require any additional fastening members to secure the tape 125 within the recess 100. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the reel 98 supports the member 110 in sliding relationship and has integral means for retaining and selectively positioning the member.

A suitable lubricant such as a waterproof grease is applied to the speed reduction gear set in order to lessen wear of the gear teeth. The lower housing 70 is cast with an integral upwardly extending baflle 130 which is disposed adjacent to the gears, as may be easily seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 to prevent the lubricant from being thrown due to the rotation of the gears, to a forward portion of chamber 66. As readily seen in FIG. 5, the lower housing 70 near its forward end includes a pair of upwardly extending integral arms 132 and 133 each having an aligned notch 134 in its upper surface. A trigger 135 is supported on a trunnion 136 which is received in the arm notches 134. Thus, the trigger 135 is pivotally supported and disposed between the arms 132 and 133. The lower portion of trigger 135 defines a vertically extending slot 137 through which flexible tape 125 passes and the slot 137 provides a minimum of clearance for the tape. Thus, if the flexible tape picks up dirt particles, the narrow slot opening 137 would prevent the particles from being carried into the reel 98. So that the trunnion 136 will remain in arm notches 134, the housing 12 is molded with a pair of integral downwardly extending projections 139 and 140 which terminate immediately above the trunnion, thus, trapping the trunnion within the notches 134. At the top of the trigger 135 is a spur 141 for a purpose hereinafter described. A spring 142 is carried on trunnion 136 and biases the trigger 135 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3.

In order to control the operation of valve 36, a latch 145 extends from the valve stem 46 to adjacent trigger 135. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch 145 is guided by a pair of cars 146 disposed on each side of post 72 and a pair of ears 147 on each side of post 73 which ears depend from the housing 12. Retaining the latch 145 within guide ears 146 and 147 are standard spring fasteners 150 mounted on bosses 72 and 149. The bosses 72, 73 and 149 pass through openings 152 and 153 in latch 145. At the end of latch 145 adjacent to valve stem 46, there is provided an arcuate surface 155 which is adapted to engage in locking relationship in valve stem groove 50. At the other end of latch 145, there is defined an opening 156 into which projects trigger spur 141.

For the purpose of closing the valve 36 by pivoting trigger 135, there is an actuator 160 at the outer end of flexible tape 125. Extending outwardly from actuator 160 is a hook 161 which is in engagement with a small length of chain 162 having a hook 163 in engagement with a stake 164. Only the upper portion of the stake 164 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that it is illustrated as it would appear if its lower portion were inserted in the ground.

In operation, the member 110 is moved to a position where circular portion 119 prevents the engagement of the reel 98 to the output drive shaft and, consequently, the reel is free to rotate on lower housing sleeve 88. Thus, the user is free to withdraw the flexible tape 125 from the sprinkler housing 12. Once a desired path has been selected, stake 164 can be placed at one end of the path and the tape 125 laid out therealong. The member is moved so that the slotted portion comes in engagement with the output shaft flattened surfaces 92 whereby the reel 98 is in driving engagement with the output shaft 85. A suitable garden hose is connected to the coupling 21. Control knob 17 is adjusted for the required width of sprinkling. Thereafter, downward pressure is exerted on spray head 14 which causes the spray head shaft 30 to depress valve stem 46 sufficiently so that the arcuate surface 155 of latch 145 engages into the valve stem groove 50 and holds the valve stem in an open position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The latch 145 is biased towards the valve stem 46 due to the spring 142 biasing the trigger in a counterclockwise direction which forces trigger spur 141 against the latch at opening 156. When the water pressure is turned on, water causes the spray head 14 to rotate and, consequently, pinion 64 transmits power through the set of gears to output shaft 85. Inasmuch as the reel 98 is locked to output shaft 85 by member 110, the reel slowly rotates and pulls the sprinkler along the ground as the flexible tape is coiled within the reel 98. It should be appreciated that the sprinkler uses the tape to pull itself along the ground but the pulling force is transmitted to the lower housing sleeve 88 and not to the output shaft 85. Thus, only torsional forces are imposed upon the output shaft and gear set.

When the actuator 160 is pulled to a position as illustrated in FIG. 2, the trigger is forced to rotate in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring 142 and the trigger spur 141 forces the latch to move longi-v tudinally toward the front of the sprinkler until the latch arcuate surface 155 is withdrawn from the valve stem recess 5t) permitting the spring 52 to force the stem 46 upwardly whereby the stem enlarged head 62 comes in contact with the valve seat chamfer 39. Once the valve has moved to the closed position, the head stops rotating and the sprinkler remains inoperative.

If it is desired to use the sprinkler in a single location, the clutch member 110 is positioned so that the reel 98 is disengaged from the output shaft 85. It is also necessary that the head is depressed so that the latch holds the valve in the open position.

If it is desired to use the sprinkler in a single location and it is desired that it should operate until a given amount of water is dispersed, the clutch member is slide to the position where the reel 98 is not engaged with the reel and a given amount of flexible tape is pulled out of the housing. Thereafter, the clutch is slid to the position to engage the reel and output shaft and the head is depressed moving the valve to the open position. Once the water is turned on, the head 14 rotates causing the tape to wind on reel 98. When the actuator rotates the trigger 135, the latch 145 releases the valve. Thus, the sprinkler stops without the assistance or attention of the user.

In accordance with the present invention, the housing 12 is formed with a forwardly extending central front section 166 having internal side walls 168 and 169 and a removable front wall 170 which is held to the housing 12 by means of screws 171 and has an opening 172 through which the tape 125 extends. Spaced outwardly from the internal side walls 168 and 169 are external housing side walls 167 which define a recess on each side of front section 166. Two wheels 173 and 174 are received in the recesses so that the wheels are disposed slightly behind the front wall opening 172 whereby when the sprinkler is being pulled along the ground, the tape 125 cannot come into contact with the wheels even though the sprinkler is following a tortuous path. Each wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle 176 which is transversely disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the sprinkler. The housing side walls 167 and the front section side walls 168 and 169 each has an aligned, upwardly extending slot 173 having a T-shaped sectional configuration. A hook-shaped fastening member 189 is used to rigidly lock the ends of axles 176 at their respective side wall slots 178. The fastening member 180 includes a long leg 181 having an elongated vertical slot 182 and a short leg 183 connected to the long leg by a bight portion 184. The short leg 183 includes two barbs 185 which are formed along each side thereof and have a point which extends inwardly towards the long leg 181 and downward- 1y towards the bight portion 184. Preferably, the fastening member 180 is fabricated from spring steel and is relatively hard. The distance across slot 182 is considerably smaller than the diameter of axle 176. Thus, when the fastening member 180 receives the axle 176 in slot 182, the edges of the slot 182 out into the axle 176 and thereby hold the fastening member in rigid engagement with the axle. When the axle 176 with fastening member 180 is inserted so that the axle 176 fits into side wall slots 178, the side wall is forced between the long and short legs of the fastening member causing the sharp barbs 185 to dig into the side wall to lock rigidly the fastening member 180 and the axle 176 to the housing. It should be appreciated that the rigid construction between the axles 176 and the housing external side walls 167 and the front section side walls 168 and 169 adds considerable rigidity to the front end of the traveling sprinkler. Moreover, the wheels 173 and 174 at the front end of the sprinkler allow the sprinkler housing to move more easily over the ground as the flexible tape 125 is drawn into reel 98. Thus, the means for rotatably mounting the wheels to the sprinkler housing is not only inexpensive but also provides a more rigid construction.

To further facilitate the easy movement of the selfpropellable sprinkler 11 over the ground, the housing 12 is provided with integral skid portions which are located at each rear corner of the sprinkler housing. The skid 190 as seen in FIG. 2 has a rounded leading surface 191 to prevent any entanglement between the sprinkler housing 12 and theground. Preferably, the outer surface of the skids 190 have longitudinally extended ridges for reducing the area of contact between the rear portion of the sprinkler and the ground.

It is now apparent that the present invention provides a traveling sprinkler which is inexpensively manufactured and which may be used selectively as a self-propellable sprinkler, standard stationary sprinkler or a stationary sprinkler which can turn itself off after a determined amount of water has been dispersed. The upper and lower housings are formed to perform a plurality of functions and, consequently, this construction greatly reduces the number of required parts. Moreover, the rotary spray head, control valve and power transmitting shaft are related to reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the design. The sprinkler herein disclosed is easily serviced since only a spring fastener secured the reel to the lower housing and the lower housing can easily be removed by loosening a few screws to expose the gearing, latch and trigger. Further, the valve is easily removed by unscrewing the nut 43. In addition, the spray head is removed from the housing by merely unscrewing nut 28. Thus, there has been disclosed a traveling sprinkler which is inexpensive to manufacture and is easily repaired.

While there has been illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention which depicts a self-propellable sprinkler which is easy to manufacture and low in cost, it will be understood that numerous changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A self-propellable sprinkler comprising a housing having an upright post, a reaction type rotary sprinkler head mounted on said post for rotation about a vertical axis, said housing defining an enclosed chamber containing a speed reduction gear means, said head in driving engagement with said gear means, said gear means having an output shaft with a lower end extending downwardly out of said housing chamber whereby the rotation of said head rotates said output shaft at a speed slower than said head, a reel containing a flexible tape rotatably mounted to the underside of said housing with its center of rotation coexistensive with said shaft, said output shaft extending through said reel so that the lower end of said shaft extends beyond said reel, a member slidably secured to the underside of said reel and having means adapted for making a driving engagement with said output shaft lower end whereby said member selectively locks said reel and shaft together for rotation.

2. The sprinkler of claim 1 wherein said output shaft lower end has at least one vertically extending flat surface, said member having an elongated opening wherein a first portion of the opening is sufficiently large to permit said shaft to rotate without contacting said member in driving engagement and a second portion wherein said member abuts against said fiat surface in driving engagement, said reel holding said member so that said portions are slidable toward said shaft lower end.

3. The sprinkler of claim 2 wherein said reel is formed with an integral detent including an arm which extends in the direction that said member slides and an enlargement at the free end of said arm which extends toward said member, said member being provided with two spaced recesses adapted for receiving said detent enlargement, said member recesses positioned to lock selectively said member portions adjacent said shaft lower end.

4. The sprinkler of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a downwardly extending hollow cylindrical hub, said reel rotatably mounted on said hub, said output shaft extending through said hollow hub whereby tensile force imposed on said flexible tape is transmitted to said housing and not to said output shaft and gear means.

5. In a self-propellable sprinkler comprising a housing, a reaction type rotatable head mounted on said housing, speed reduction gear means disposed within said housing and in driving relationship with said head, said gear means including an output shaft, a reel mounted for rotation on said housing and adapted for being driven by said shaft, said reel forming an annular recess for receiving, guiding and storing a flexible tape, said reel formed with an integral post within said recess and said post extending transversely across said recess so that one end of said post is integral to said reel and the other end is free, said fiexible tape formed with a closed loop at the end attached to said reel, said reel formed with access means whereby the looped end of said tape may he slipped over said post for attaching said reel and tape together.

"6. In the self-propelled sprinkler of claim wherein a member is slidably mounted on said reel and adapted for making a driving connection with said output shaft, said reel forming integral guide means for receiving and retaining said member in sliding relationship, and detent means integrally formed with said reel for positioning said member.

7. In the self-propelled sprinkler of claim 6 wherein said reel is formed with an integral hub, said housing being provided with means rotatably supporting said hub whereby the only torsional force is imposed upon said output shaft.

8. In a self-propellable sprinkler comprising a molded plastic upper housing being provided with an integral upright hollow post, a reaction type rotary sprinkler head mounted on said post for rotation about a vertical axis, said housing defining an open bottom chamber on its underside, a lower housing closing said chamber, first gear means connected to said head and rotatable on said vertical axis, said housing forming at least two integral bosses within said chamber and a gear shaft extending downwardly from each boss with the bottom end of one gear shaft supported against lateral movement by said lower housing, second gear means disposed on said gear shafts and in driving relationship with said first gear means, said lower housing defining a hollow downwardly extending sleeve, an output shaft driven by said second gear means and extending through said sleeve, said output shaft supporting the lower end of one of said gear shafts against lateral movement, said output shaft connectable with a rotatable reel containing a flexible tape.

9. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 8 wherein said output shaft, reel and one of said gear shafts lie on a common center line.

10. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 8 wherein said housing forms a water passageway leading from a hose connection to said head, valve means disposed within said passageway for controlling the flow of water therethrough, said valve means being biased to a closed position by spring means, a slidable latch being provided in said chamber and adapted for holding said valve means open, said housing formed to provide integral guide means for guiding said slidable latch and to provide integral projections for retaining said latch.

11. In the self-propellable sprinkler claim 10 wherein a trigger supported on a trunnion for controlling the movement of said latch, said trunnion supported for pivotal movement by complementary elements integrally formed on said upper and lower housings.

12. A self-propellable sprinkler comprising a housing provided with water spray means, a reel containing a flexible tape rotatably mounted to said housing, drive means connecting said spray means and reel so that said spray means selectively rotates said reel, said housing having a front section defined by a front wall and side walls and having recesses between said front section and housing side walls, said front section front wall being provided with an opennig through which said tape is extensible for propelling the sprinkler, said housing side walls and front section side walls defining aligned upwardly extending elongated slots, two wheels each rotatably mounted on axles with said axles transversely disposed within said recesses and with ends of said axles located in said slots, said wheels being spaced rearwardly from said front section front wall and supporting the front end of said housing, clip means locking said axles within their respective slots and rigidly fastening the ends of said axles to said housing whereby increasing the rigidity of said housing side walls and front section side walls.

13. The self-propellable sprinkler of claim 12 wherein said housing is provided with skid portions at the end remote from said front end whereby said housing is supported by said wheels and skid portions.

14. The self-propellable sprinkler of claim 13 wherein said clip means includes a U-shaped member having a slot for receiving said axle, said slot being smaller than said axle so that said member cuts into said axle for rigid locking engagement, said member having at least one integral barb disposed for biting into said housing whereby said member and axle are rigidly locked together.

15. In a self-probellable sprinkler comprising a housing provided with a wheel, said wheel rotatably supported on an axle, said housing defining a slot in a housing wall, said axle received in said slot and rigidly locked to said housing wall by clip means, said clip means including a U-shaped member having two legs and defining an elongated slot in one leg, said member slot being smaller than said axle and receiving said axle so that said member cuts into said axle for rigid locking engagement, said member being provided with at least one barb in one leg and said barb pointing towards said other leg, said housing wall being received between said member legs so that said axle is positioned in said housing slot and said bar-b engages said wall for rigidly locking said member to said wall.

16. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 15 wherein said member is hardened spring steel, and means biasing said barb toward said wall.

17. In a self-propellable sprinkler comprising a plastic molded housing having an integrally formed upwardly extending hollow post for supporting a reaction type rotary head, said housing defining a water inlet and a passageway from said inlet through said post to said head for conducting water therethrough, said housing forming means along said passageway for supporting a control valve therein, said housing defining a gear chamber on its underside with the bottom of said chamber being open, at least one boss integrally formed with said housing inside said chamber for supporting a gear shaft, guide and retaining means formed with said housing within said chamber for guiding and supporting a latch for actuating said valve, said housing defining at least one skid for permitting said housing to slide freely along the ground, and said housing including means for receiving a wheel for assisting said skid in permitting said housing to freely move along the ground.

18. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 17 wherein a lower housing is removably attached to said housing to close said chamber, said lower housing supporting a reel of flexible tape, a trigger for actuating said latch supported between said housings, said trigger being provided with a narrow slit through which said tape extends.

19. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 18 wherein said lower housing is provided with means to support said gear shaft, said valve being slidable, said lower housing forming an upwardly extending projection for limiting the maximum downward travel of said valve, said gear shaft carrying a lubricated gear, said lower housing defining a baflle between said gear and trigger.

20. In a self-propella-ble sprinkler comprising a housing supporting a reaction type of spray head for rota tion, said housing including a water inlet and a passageway between said inlet and head, means in said housing for propelling the sprinkler along the ground, a valve disposed in said passageway for controlling the flow of water to said head, said valve including a stationary valve seat and a slidable valve stem, said valve stem having an opening through which a drive shaft extends, a first end of said shaft connected to said spray head in rotary drive rela- 1 1 1 2 tionship and a second end of said shaft in rotary drive References Cited relationship with said means.

21. In the self-propellable sprinkler of claim 20 where- UNITED STATES PATENTS in a spring biases said valve stem towards said valve seat,

means selectively restricting the sliding movement of said 5 2722454 11/1955 Jepson 2390-189 valve stem, said drive shaft secured to said stern whereby 2788241 4/1957 Jepson 23/ 67 said shaft rotates With respect to said stem, said drive shaft 2,788,242 4/1957 JGPSOn 239-67 first end having means for permitting said shaft to move 2,953,470 11/1960 Glwosky with respect to said head while still maintaining a rotary drive connection therebgtwgen, EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SELF-PROPELLABLE SPRINKLER COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING AN UPRIGHT POST, A REACTION TYPE ROTARY SPRINKLER HEAD MOUNTED ON SAID POST FOR ROTATION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, SAID HOUSING DEFINING AN ENCLOSED CHAMBER CONTAINING A SPEED REDUCTION GEAR MEANS, SAID HEAD IN DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID GEAR MEANS, SAID GEAR MEANS HAVING AN OUTPUT SHAFT WITH A LOWER END EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY OUT OF SAID HOUSING CHAMBER WHEREBY THE ROTATION OF SAID HEAD ROTATES SAID OUTPUT SHAFT AT A SPEED SLOWER THAN SAID HEAD, A REEL CONTAINING A FLEXIBLE TAPE ROTATABLY MOUNTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID HOUSING WITH ITS CENTER OF ROTATION COEXISTENSIVE WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID OUTPUT SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID REEL SO THAT THE LOWER END OF SAID SHAFT EXTENDS BEYOND SAID REEL, A MEMBER SLIDABLY SECURED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID REEL AND HAVING MEANS ADAPTED FOR MAKING A DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID OUTPUT SHAFT LOWER END WHEREBY SAID MEMBER SELECTIVELY LOCKS SAID REEL AND SHAFT TOGETHER FOR ROTATION. 